Entries in Rivers of America
(2)

When this scale model was presented for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, I remember looking at it for the longest time. The detail was great but more interesting to me was the fact that this was the first time I’d been able to study the layout of the 1955 park in that way– all at once. Until then we had some simple maps, some photos, and video footage but the model gives a different perspective.

The model was initially installed in the Opera House on Main Street on a flat surface. Today you see it on an angle closer to the front doors.

The Ideal Disneyland?

Is 1955 Disneyland the way I’d like to see the park today?? Nope. I would like to go back and visit during that first year for sure, but it wasn’t ideal..... The idel time would be sometime around 1967.

Nonetheless, this model takes us to a great time in Disney park history. Better than DCA in its first year?? There's something to think about.

I nearly peed my pants when I saw this. But this time it was the good kind of pants-peeing. I am thrilled to see that this Marc Davis concept is being used for the latest Rivers of America renovation. I've never seen this raccoons looking at the skunk piece and it's fantastic.

This is what the Rivers need. A little more wild life here and there, some of which is in true classic gag form. (Thank goodness it's not Meeko).

Photo from MiceChat

Marc Davis has been my favorite concept artist since I can remember. Disneyland and Magic Kingdom would not be what they became without Marc Davis. He put more personality into the rides than anyone. Not even Walt himself could have done the job so well.

It's a cryin' shame he had to die in early 2000 at the age of 86. It's also a cryin' shame some of his greatest concepts never made it very far off the drawing board (Thunder Mesa and the Western River Expedition). Anyway, I'm happy to see that he has not gone completely forgotten when it comes time to add to existing classic attractions.

I'm terribly sad to see the old broken down train from Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland taken out. I'm am happy to see the addition of Mike Fink and Davy Crockett to the river (in voice form). The old burning cabin (remember the dead guy out front with an Indian arrow through his chest?) will now be Mike Fink's cabin complete with keel boat out front. Remember that ride? I hope we get to hear Fink mouth off to ol' Davy but it might just be them singing. Keep in mind, they could have had some stupid voice recording of Johnny Depp or Brother Bear or some crap like that. "Who in the world is Mike Fink??" You best be doing your homework if that just went through your mind. Go out and rent yourself "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" tonight.

This is another cool old Davis painting used in the early development of Rivers of America (Magic Kingdom).

Don't he look like something right out of his own drawings??

Here's some pretty cool footage of the man. It's the third of three parts. The other two are great too, mostly about his fantastic animation career.